Carshalton Athletic line up against a strong Crystal Palace side tonight (7.30pm).

The Robins were originally due to take on Tottenham, but after they pulled out new manager Graham Roberts was able to persuade his Palace counterpart Trevor Francis to bring a side to Colston Avenue.

Robins chief executive Barry Gartell said: "Spurs had played three games in seven days and they didn't want to play another game.

"I understand Palace are bringing down a strong side and Trevor Francis will be there. We believe Palace will bring players who didn't figure in last night's Division One match."

Meanwhile, Gartell says he was not involved in the decision to sack previous manager Frank Murphy.

Murphy blamed a personality clash with Gartell for his departure.

The 43-year-old was sacked as manager last week after four months in charge.

Murphy said: "I left because the chief executive was trying to do my job.

"In my last month as manager we never spoke a word to each other. You could say it was a clash of personalities."

But Gartell said the only reasons he got involved were financial and that the decision to sack Murphy was nothing to do with him.

"In all the time Frank was the manager, the only time I stepped in was to do with the finances," he said.

"I don't interfere in anything whatsoever to do with the playing side of it.

"My role is to make sure Carshalton Athletic is in good hands financially.

"Finances were always an issue and we needed to lower the budget."

l More on this story in next week's Sutton Guardian.

December 21, 2001 13:00